Each year, smoking and tobacco use are directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths or illnesses of millions of smokers and non-smokers worldwide.

Suffolk County Community College understands that good health is an essential component of a successful workplace and a safe teaching and learning environment. For specific details about Suffolk's tobacco-free policy, please see the Official Tobacco-Free Policy link below.

We encourage all individuals who use tobacco and tobacco-related products to access smoking cessation programs and services at the College's Health Services Offices. In addition, we invite individuals who wish to stop using tobacco to explore the many resources available on this site.

Learn To Be… Tobacco Free

The New York State Smokers' Quitline offers no-cost bi-lingual phone counseling, free nicotine replacement therapy trial for qualified smokers, self-help booklets, taped message library, referrals to cessation programs, and web-based interactive services.

N.Y. State Smokers' Quitline
(866) NY-QUITS
(866) 697-8487
www.nysmokefree.com

Tobacco-Free FAQs

Why did Suffolk go tobacco-free?

The College seeks to provide a clean and healthy environment for all students, employees and visitors. The College's tobacco-free policy will:

- Protect Suffolk students, faculty, staff and visitors from unwanted and involuntary exposure to tobacco and passive smoke;
- Provide motivation for tobacco users to get the help they need to quit for good.

To create a healthier and greener environment for students, faculty and staff, the American College Health Association (ACHA) has recommended that colleges adopt a tobacco-free campus policy, stating it "acknowledges and supports the findings of the Surgeon General that tobacco use in any form, active and/or passive, is a significant health factor…Environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Class-A carcinogen. There is no safe level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke."

To whom does the tobacco-free policy apply?

The tobacco-free policy will apply to every person on any of Suffolk's campuses, including students, faculty, staff, visitors, volunteers, contractors and service representatives.

Isn't it my right to use tobacco?

Tobacco use is a legal product for adults. Suffolk County Community College can establish policies that protect the health of all campus members. A tobacco-free policy establishes where use can occur.

Furthermore, according to the Public Health Institute, "no court has ever recognized smoking as a protected fundamental right nor has any court ever found smokers to be a protected class." As long as tobacco regulation is created on the basis of a legitimate government objective, like public health or the environment, it will always be upheld as constitutional.

Does the tobacco-free policy extend to other College-owned property?

Smoking or the use of other tobacco products is prohibited on all campus grounds and College-owned/leased vehicles. This includes but is not limited to all parking lots, landscaped areas and recreational areas; at lectures, conferences, meetings and social and cultural events held on College property or grounds. Smoking is also prohibited in the interior of the building(s).

Will there be designated smoking areas on campuses?

No. The use of tobacco will be prohibited on all campus grounds. Smoking zones and perimeter policies have not been found to be effective (or enforceable). Colleges with full tobacco-free policies have reported fewer problems with compliance than policies that include smoking areas.

Can I smoke inside my own vehicle?

Smoking on all Suffolk property, including inside a vehicle, is prohibited.

Why does the policy include smokeless tobacco?

A tobacco-free policy sends a consistent health message by not implying that smokeless forms of tobacco are safe. There are no safe forms or levels of tobacco use. The policy promotes and protects the health of all campus members, users and non-users alike.

- Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 cancer-causing agents

- Smokeless tobacco can lead to oral cancers, gum disease and increased nicotine addiction (U.S. Surgeon General). Snuff and Snus have been found to increase the risk of cancer, stroke and fatal cardiovascular disease (The International Agency for Research on Cancer).

- While marketing of cigarettes is on the decline, marketing of smokeless products has risen dramatically in the last 20 years. Marketing of smokeless tobacco products target youth by associating the product with sports and adventure activities, implying that use is part of a healthy lifestyle.

Are e-cigarettes included?

Yes, the policy prohibits all forms of tobacco and any nicotine delivery device that has not been approved by the FDA for cessation (On April 25, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that e-cigarettes will be regulated as tobacco products). National health agencies remain skeptical of the safety of these devices due to a lack of scientific data.

Until and unless the FDA approves a specific e-cigarette for use as a tobacco cessation aid, these will not be allowed on campus, which is consistent with national standards and guidelines.

How will the policy be enforced for students?

Initially, there will be an emphasis on education as the campus and community adapt to the policy. Violators will receive a friendly reminder, along with cessation information. Repeat or problem violations will be handled like any other conduct issue on campus: either through the Dean of Student's Office or the Office of Public Safety.

What should I do if I see someone using tobacco on campus?

Everyone can take an active role in informing people that a tobacco-free policy is in effect. A large majority of Suffolk students and employees support a tobacco-free environment, so it is appropriate for anyone to speak up.

If there is an area where people are consistently violating the policy, please report this to the Campus Dean or the Office of Public Safety.

How should I respond if someone gets angry or aggressive?

Do not continue to speak to anyone who becomes angry or confrontational. Walk away and report the behavior to the Office of Public Safety.

How can I quit (or help someone I know quit)?

There are many cessation resources to utilize:

- Contact the College Health Services Offices

- Call 1-800-QUIT NOW for tailored one-on-one coaching.

- Call the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA or 1-800-586-4872 to speak to someone directly, or visit online at www.lungwi.org

I am interested in helping with tobacco-free efforts on campus. Who should I contact?

Please contact the Campus Dean of Students.

Is Suffolk requiring that people stop smoking?

No, although there are health benefits for doing so. This policy simply means that no one can use tobacco products on Suffolk's campuses.

Are there resources available to help students and members of the college community who want to quit smoking and stop using tobacco-related products?

Yes, the College has developed a site that provides a wide range of resources and support communications at www.sunysuffolk.edu/tobaccofree.

Policies & Resources

Policies

Official Tobacco-Free Policy
View SCCC Policy

Tobacco-Free SUNY
View Suny Policy

College Resources

Suffolk County Community College Health Services Offices

www.sunysuffolk.edu/Students/Health.asp

Campus Information

Ammerman Campus 533 College Road
Selden, NY 11784-2899
631.451.4800

Eastern Campus 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road
Riverhead, NY 11901-3499
631.451.4110

Michael J. Grant Campus Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717-1092
631.851.6700

County & State Resources

Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island
www.breathefreely.org

Suffolk County Government Smoking Cessation Classes
View Classes

NYS Smokers' Quitline
www.nysmokefree.com

Tobacco Cessation Centers in NYS
Find a NYS Tobacco Cessation Center

Other Resources

Smokefree.Gov
www.smokefree.gov

American Lung Association Smoking Cessation Support
www.lung.org/stop-smoking/

American Cancer Society Guide for Quitting Smoking
View Guide

Tobacco Facts & Research

Links

BeTobaccoFree.Gov
Visit Website

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Visit Website

The Toll of Tobacco in NY
Visit Website

Research from the National Cancer Institute
Visit Website

Pie Chart